NYC’s very own Ana Iravani is a singer, songwriter, and DJ who has experienced life around the globe. It was in 2019 when she attended NYU College of Arts and Sciences, that she came to realize her passion would lie within music.
Taking the plunge and shooting for the stars, she uses her biggest inspirations from artists such as Sia, Adele, Lady Gaga, and Jorja Smith to go towards her signature style of R&B and Pop music.
Through instrumentation that breeds a euphoric ground of intimacy, we get immersed in Ana Iravani’s most recent single “Comedown.” Evolving in a complex notion of uplifting tenors, the subject matter actually addresses mental health, and the struggles surrounding coping mechanisms that handle feelings of depression and anxiety. “Comedown” submerges us in infectious grooves that are formed by opulent guitar riffs, and a blend of feathery and heavy-hitting synths all while taking our attention to a narrative that is often not addressed.
The dimension that you’re organically sunk into dramatically speaks for itself. With a contrast that delves into the dynamic paradox between the two emotions, freely flowing, is rather uncanny. Ana Iravani emits a flourishing persona that embraces reality, yet hopes for better days ahead. Her multidimensional croons form an atmosphere that is remarkably profound.
Allowing us to grasp this personal reflection through her songwriting is a blessing in itself. Hearing the passion poured into a piece as such amps us up into the deeper quintessence of her artistry, and the abilities she has when it comes to bringing life to important messaging. As we search for deeper meaning in today's day and age of music, Ana Iravani is a name that we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Ana Iravani! We admire the depth you showcased to us throughout "Comedown." How does the title of the song tie into the strikingly crafted lyrics you perform?
"Comedown" is really trying to illustrate the ups and downs that we go through in life. It emphasizes this desperation to become better, especially through the lyrics "praying and paying and laying and aiming for my soul to reach inner peace." It's a personal song about the vicious cycle that exists within mental health. A comedown is essentially that feeling of depression paired with a drop in serotonin. I was going through a tough period in my life, and songwriting helped me a lot.
One night I came home, and I was feeling upset for what felt like absolutely no reason. I immediately called my best friend, and while I was talking to him about how I felt, I was describing it to him as though I was experiencing a serotonin drop -- which inspired me to write this song. Life has its ups and downs, and it is so important to stay positive and know there is light at the end of every tunnel. I wanted to create a song that was relatable whilst accentuating the fact that you are never alone. I wrote the lyrics in 14 minutes, and they flowed onto the paper, so naturally, that once I finished writing it, I immediately called my producer Avi and said, "my gut and heart are telling me we have a good song." The song is a journey and truly exasperates this notion of the ups and downs that occur in one's life. It takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions, and my aim was to create the experience of that ride for my listeners too.
At what point do you find that you may be traveling too deep into your personal life when coming up with brilliant concepts to recite? Do you find it fairly easy to be this vulnerable?
Being vulnerable is scary. There's no doubt about that. However, being vulnerable is the only way I can write songs that are meaningful and personal. I want to take risks, and if being vulnerable on a piece of paper is a risk, I will do it. I want to not only inspire others but also inspire myself with my creativity and life. Life is a rollercoaster, and I think everyone should take risks, learn from their mistakes, and grow. Life is not a performance. It's an experience! I was originally a pre-med student majoring in Biology, and I never thought I would ever release my very own music on streaming platforms. It feels so surreal. I remember how nervous I was to release my first single, as I was so concerned about people's opinions and judgments. However, the experience taught me that taking risks is necessary to take steps forward in life.
It was out of my comfort zone at first, as it was such a drastic change from everything I ever knew, but music has become my safe and happy place. I want to be as vulnerable as I can, as a vulnerability in my songs creates exploration. The more I have explored, the more creative and confident I have become. I want my lyrics to be meaningful, of course, but most importantly, relatable. My aim is to make a change and tell my story. I remember the first time I listened to Lady Gaga's 'Million Reasons,' I immediately got goosebumps everywhere. I was able to hear her voice, her story, and uniqueness, which is why I go out of my way to truly feel all the different emotions that I would typically suppress in order to experience those growing pains and come up with music that stimulates the mind.
How does "Comedown" compare to your first single release? What does it say about you as an artist and individual?
Being vulnerable is scary. There's no doubt about that. However, being vulnerable is the only way I can write songs that are meaningful and personal. I want to take risks, and if being vulnerable on a piece of paper is a risk, I will do it. I want to not only inspire others but also inspire myself with my creativity and life. Life is a rollercoaster, and I think everyone should take risks, learn from their mistakes, and grow. Life is not a performance. It's an experience! I was originally a pre-med student majoring in Biology, and I never thought I would ever release my very own music on streaming platforms. It feels so surreal. I remember how nervous I was to release my first single, as I was so concerned about people's opinions and judgments.
However, the experience taught me that taking risks is necessary to take steps forward in life. It was out of my comfort zone at first, as it was such a drastic change from everything I ever knew, but music has become my safe and happy place. I want to be as vulnerable as I can, as a vulnerability in my songs creates exploration. The more I have explored, the more creative and confident I have become. I want my lyrics to be meaningful, of course, but most importantly, relatable. My aim is to make a change and tell my story. I remember the first time I listened to Lady Gaga's 'Million Reasons,' I immediately got goosebumps everywhere. I was able to hear her voice, her story, and uniqueness, which is why I go out of my way to truly feel all the different emotions that I would typically suppress in order to experience those growing pains and come up with music that stimulates the mind.
What's your mission statement as an artist? How do you display this through all you do with your music?
My mission statement as an artist is to create an emotional bridge that bonds my listeners through a rollercoaster that they can experience with their ears, minds, and bodies. That’s why my lyrics are quite literally about the journey of emotions that we experience through life -- I want my listeners to relate, but I also want them to walk away from the song feeling uplifted, and even nostalgic. Most importantly, I want to inspire my listeners to do what they love, especially if it means taking that risk or that leap of faith. Growing up in Dubai, I was not exposed to the artist industry the same way I experience as I walk through the streets of New York on a daily basis. After two years of doing all my pre-med requirements, I spontaneously transferred to the Tisch School of Arts to Major in Drama as well as Psychology, whilst dually producing my very own music. I love both science and the arts, which is why intertwining both of them is such a beautiful concept to me. He does not regret any of the decisions he made, even the ones that did not turn out the way he intended, because it was always in pursuit of what he was passionate about. Moreover, he’s also passionate about the arts, and to this day ensures that he sets aside time to pursue his own forms of art and drama. Thus, the multifaceted nature of life is not lost on me. The same way he is the ultimate renaissance man, I am trying to spin his legacy into my journey—ultimately becoming a renaissance woman. I want my listeners to be vulnerable, take risks and never give up. I never thought this opportunity would arise in my life but with hard work, manifestation, and perseverance, I am finally able to do what I love in one of the most amazing cities in the world; New York City. If it wasn't for this huge risk, I wouldn’t have met the people I met, grown and developed my skills as an artist the way that I have, but most importantly, do what I love. My music is my therapy. It is my story, my happy place, and my space where I can truly be myself without allowing anyone else to define me. My grandfather used to always preach: “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Therefore, I am grateful that I finally mustered the courage to truly go for something that I love. I want my listeners to do the same.
I will be performing at Bowery Electric with a live band on Monday, November 22nd in NYC!